Terry's Terrific Shell
A story about worries
“You can’t see your worries when they are packed away in your shell, but you can still feel them,” said Skye.
With the help of his friend, and of course, our mascot Rags, Terry begins to unpack his heavy shell—making space for lighter, happier things, like bubbly thoughts, calm feelings, and even a little bit of candy floss.
Terry and the Terrific Shell is part of the Feelings Collection (yellow) and has been thoughtfully written to gently reflect experiences of worry and emotional overwhelm, helping young children understand that keeping feelings tucked away can feel heavy—and that sharing them can bring relief.
Written by Gillian Murgatroyd, a play and creative arts therapist, this story has been designed to support emotional understanding through play, imagination, and connection.
Each book in the Emotions at Play series also includes:
A simple science experiment linked to the story
A game for connection to help strengthen relationships between child and caregiver
A creative art activity
A hands-on craft idea
Gentle sensory play suggestions
Fun facts and jokes woven throughout for lightness and engagement
But the story doesn’t end there…
At the back of every book, you’ll find a QR code that leads to additional support materials created for the adults around the child. These include:
Information about the specific emotional theme the story explores
Practical tips and strategies that Gillian would typically share with parents, carers, teachers, and therapists in her own clinical practice
Guidance to help support emotional understanding at home, in schools, or in therapy settings
The books are illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills, an award-winning illustrator who has created hundreds of children’s books, bringing Terry’s world to life with warmth, colour, and imagination.
The Emotions at Play series combines therapeutic storytelling, playful connection, and real-world support for families and professionals—helping children make sense of their feelings in a safe, creative, and meaningful way.